Introduction
Walter Haggett was a railway platelayer for at least twenty years, during which time he lived at Hardington Marsh, Pendomer and Barry Lane, Hardington. In his forties, he became a farm labourer, likely due to an injury or declining health. In the 1920s, he and his wife relocated to Yeovil, where he passed away in 1926. Two of his sons were already in the army when the First World War began, and both lost their lives during the conflict.
Childhood
Walter was born at Pendomer in 1859, the fourth of five children born to George and Eliza Haggett. His father, George, was a farm labourer.
By April 1871, the family had moved to Sutton Bingham, returning to Pendomer by April 1881.
Occupation
By April 1881, Walter was a railway labourer, an occupation he pursued for at least the next twenty years.
Marriage
In 1882, Walter married Martha Eastment of Hardington. At the time of their marriage, Walter was 22 years old, and Martha was 20.
Martha was the daughter of Reuben and Jane Higgins, who lived at Hardington Marsh. Her mother, Jane, died later that year.
Hardington Marsh
After their marriage, Walter and Martha lived at Hardington Marsh until about 1888, where they had three children: Walter, Mary Jane and Wilfred Ernest.[1]
While residing there, Walter advertised for a position as a groom in January 1885, but nothing came of it.[2]
Pendomer
The family then moved to Pendomer, where two more children were born: Sidney and Frederick. The 1891 census shows them living in a four-room house at Pen Dairy House.
Barry Lane, Hardington
From about 1896 until 1909, they lived in Barry Lane, Hardington.[3]
By April 1901, Walter’s daughter, Mary Jane, was employed as a servant for Ellis Dawe of Partway Lane, Hardington.
Accused of poaching
In the late 1890s, Henry Sandiford hired Walter to kill rabbits and hares. This arrangement led to problems with Sandiford’s landlord, who, in December 1898, prosecuted Walter, claiming exclusive rights to the game. Although Walter’s solicitor successfully argued that these rights did not extend to rabbits and hares, the magistrates insisted that if Sandiford hired someone else to kill these animals, the contract had to be in writing. Since it was not written down that year, Walter was required to pay the landlord’s costs. [4]
Family changes
On 7 December 1902, Mary Jane married James Parsons at the Tabernacle Chapel, Yeovil, and settled in the town.[5] On 19 November 1906, Walter Jr. enlisted in the Dorset Regiment, while Wilfred Ernest joined the Somerset Light Infantry around the same time.
Rectory Lane, Hardington
In April 1911, Walter, Martha, and their two youngest sons, Sidney and Frederick, lived near Hardington Church, probably in Rectory Lane. The census describes Walter as a farm labourer, but the word “Invalid” was written and then crossed out.
First World War
Walter and Wilfred were both killed in the war: Wilfred on the Western Front on 12 February 1915 and Walter in Bazra on 10 May 1916.
Post-war
After the war, Sidney moved to Hampshire and married in 1920. That same year, Frederick married Susan Alice Hiscock, who moved into his parents’ home in Rectory Lane.
By June 1921, Walter had become a chronic invalid, and shortly after, he and Martha moved to 5 Spring Gardens, Yeovil. On 18 January 1926, Walter died from a cerebral haemorrhage.[6]
Martha’s later life
After Walter’s death, Martha moved into the property next door. By September 1939, she was living alone at 6 Spring Gardens, while her son, Frederick, resided at 1 Spring Gardens, and her daughter, Mary Jane, lived at 39 Wellington Street.
Martha died in late 1939 or late 1940 at the age of 78.
Children
Walter and Martha had four sons and one daughter:
1882-Walter (died in Basra in 1916);
1884-Mary Jane (married James Parsons, a groom and gardener, in 1902; resided in Yeovil; died in 1964);
1887-Wilfred Ernest (died in France in 1915);
1889-Sidney (became a hotel porter in Alton; married Hilda Frances Wakefield in 1920; died in 1961);
1892-Frederick (married Susan Alice Hiscock in 1920; became a motor mechanic in Yeovil; died in 1964).
References
[1] Hardington voters’ lists.
[2] Western Gazette, 16 January 1885, p.4.
[3] Hardington voters’ lists.
[4] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser 14 December 1898 p. 7.
[5] Western Gazette, 26 December 1902, p.12.
[6] Death certificate of Walter Haggett.
